Ângelo stared at the screen for a while, pondering what to do. First off, why did his rewards always come after mind-numbing pain?
Secondly... well, Ângelo didn't know what to make of the message floating before him.
[ A lesser spirit wants to form a contract ][ Will you accept? ]
Not only had he gained a new skill after touching his newfound feline friend, but now it wanted to form a contract?
"Man, give me some time to breathe..." Ângelo muttered under his breath, covering one eye with his hand.
What kind of contract would this be? It didn't seem to have any terms. Clicking on the message changed nothing — the text remained the same.
Looking down at the cat, it stared back. Those yellow, gem-like eyes glowed even brighter. Ângelo felt like he was looking into a light bulb. Turning his gaze away, he pondered.
"Hey, system thingy, what's this contract?" Ângelo decided to try his luck.
There was no answer.
"What a load of..." Ângelo sighed, rubbing his temples. "Okay... so what can I do?"
He wanted to think it through. The problem was—how could he think about something without any information?
This system was just too damn unfair!
Scratching his head, Ângelo couldn't find a way out that wouldn't leave loose ends. If he didn't accept the contract, there was a chance of losing an important opportunity. Could he really afford that in this new world?
And if he got scammed by this shady offer...
"Screw it." Ângelo grinned. "I'll sign the contract."
He couldn't call himself a careful planner, and that wasn't changing now.
[ The contract has been formed ][ Souls have been connected ]
Ângelo felt a jolt run through his body, ending in his chest, like lightning rampaging through his nerves. It settled quickly, and it wasn't exactly unpleasant — that made him feel more at ease.
"At least it didn't hurt this time..."
Looking down, Ângelo was startled. There was a small orb glowing faintly inside his chest, a thin tendril stretching from it toward the ghostly cat, merging into its body. It remained visible for a moment before vanishing into thin air.
"Okay... that's new." Ângelo blinked, rubbing his chin.
Was that it? There was no system pop-up, no new reward. Really? All that fuss for nothing?
"Well, that was worthless..."
"Worthless?" A childlike voice echoed from nowhere, freezing Ângelo in place. "Not worthless."
He knew exactly where that voice came from.
His eyes fell on the cat — the little creature was glaring at him.
"Did you just..."
"I'm not worthless. Take it back." The voice resonated in his mind.
The cat spoke.
"A talking ghost... cat..." Ângelo's jaw dropped. "Sorry, what did you just say?"
"Take it back!" Cuddles shouted, jumping onto his shoulder.
Ângelo was stunned — he was actually talking to a cat? Well, given everything else, it wasn't that absurd.
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to call you worthless." Ângelo raised a hand in surrender, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. "I meant the contract."
"It's not!" Cuddles fumed, his fur standing on end. "The contract lets you understand me! And our souls are connected, meaning your memories and mine are linked!" The cat puffed out his chest proudly.
"Okay, memory connection... but how are you speaking? Shouldn't you be meowing?"
"Well... I don't know."
"..." The blunt response caught Ângelo off guard. He gave the cat a judgmental look.
"Don't look at me like that! I only know so much... Some words just appeared in my head after the contract — it must have to do with our souls being linked." Cuddles looked away, clearly flustered.
"I figured as much..." Ângelo sighed, visibly disappointed. "Oh well, at least I've got some company."
His hand unconsciously rested on the cat's head. The little creature flinched but quickly settled under his touch. Purring softly, Cuddles seemed rather fond of it.
"You should give me a new name." The suggestion came out of nowhere, catching Ângelo off guard.
"Why? I thought you'd want to keep the name your previous owner gave you." Ângelo sounded hesitant.
Cuddles nodded.
"I understand how you feel, but as my soul contractor, you should give me a new one. It just feels appropriate, doesn't it?" The cat replied, tail swaying side to side.
Part of him didn't want to change it — it was a way to honor the little boy. But he couldn't keep a straight face if the only being he could talk to was named Cuddles.
"Yeah, yeah... I get it. You're right, naming you feels natural. Looks like we'll be stuck together for a while." Ângelo pondered for a bit, rubbing his chin.
"Paws?" he suggested.
"Please, don't give me such a ridiculous name..." The cat shivered.
"Wait... you asked me to rename you just because you don't like your current name, didn't you?"
"W-what? Of course not!" The cat grew flustered again, clearly exposed.
"Well, anyway... before we move on, are you a boy or a girl? Your voice doesn't really give it away."
The cat hissed, nearly swiping at Ângelo's face.
"I'm a man!"
"Okay, okay, didn't mean to offend you, sorry." Ângelo leaned back from the claws. "Hm... what about..."
He paused to think. A ghost cat... glowing blue, almost like a faint flame. It didn't take long for a name to click.
"What about Whisp?"
Looking at Ângelo, the little ghost pondered.
"Whisp... I like it." The cat nodded approvingly. "It's still cute, but more elegant than Cuddles. From now on, I shall be called Whisp."
"You're quite shameless, aren't you—"
Ângelo couldn't finish. Grabbing Whisp, he leapt across the room, rolling across the floor.
In an instant, the wall exploded, rubble flying everywhere as a gray blur shot through, tearing a massive hole through the house. It was like a ballistic missile hitting the structure, debris scattering in every direction. Ângelo barely regained his bearings — the ceiling was about to collapse. Jumping outside, he narrowly escaped as the building crumbled behind him.
Panting on the ground, his eyes widened. The smoke began to clear, and what emerged from it sent chills down his spine.
Standing atop the ruins was a creature towering like a building. Its skin was plated, patches of white fur covering the exposed parts. Standing on its knuckles like a gorilla, it supported its massive frame with both arms. But what stood out most was its head — three enormous horns jutted from its skull, accompanied by a thick mane sprouting from its neck, giving it a nearly regal appearance.
It resembled a massive gorilla-rhino hybrid.
Despite its terrifying presence, the creature didn't seem interested in Ângelo. It hunched over, rummaging through the rubble and munching on what was left of his food supply.
"..." Ângelo held his breath, glancing behind him.
Down the street stretched a trail of devastation. Cars had been thrown aside violently, some completely crushed. Now he understood the sound he had heard earlier.
He had caught wind of this thing before it hit the house. At first, he thought it was far away, but in the blink of an eye... his shelter was flattened.
"This is insane..." Ângelo thought while slowly backing away, the sight shaking his resolve.
The monsters he had seen so far — even through his phone — had never given him this level of dread. Yes, he'd witnessed the destruction they could cause, but seeing it firsthand... it made Ângelo feel despair for the first time in his life.
"What do I do, what do I do..." He couldn't think clearly, his breathing erratic, sweat running down his forehead.
"Calm down." Whisp's voice echoed in his mind, making Ângelo freeze.
The spirit had already vanished, yet his presence lingered beside him.
"We have to get out of here before it notices us. Just back away slowly..."
But as if the universe were mocking him... a car alarm blared behind his back, making him stiffen. How did it go off now of all times!? That didn't even make sense!
The horned gorilla's ears perked up. Its massive head turned slowly, eyes locking onto Ângelo — deep, predatory yellow pupils gleaming. Huge fangs protruded from its jaws, biting through cans like paper.
It stared directly at him... but didn't move.
Ângelo stood frozen like a statue.
"Maybe it's friendly?..." Whisp suggested nervously, his voice cracking.
Turning to face them fully, the horned gorilla rose, beating its chest like a drum before letting out an earth-shaking roar that made Ângelo cover his ears. The ground quaked beneath them.
[ Warning ][ A field boss has appeared ]
[ Mongoril the Stone Monarch ]
"You were saying!?"